This thread was started in September 2020
EmeryJ
My first SWSM kit started for my layout. I am amazed at how well the instructions are written and detailed. Truck repair under way.
Comments
Dave_S
September 2020
Emery,
Off to a great start. This is a favorite kit of many here on the forum, myself included. I am looking forward to seeing your progress and photos. Are you contemplating making the roof removable and adding interior and exterior lighting?
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
KCSTrains
September 2020
Great start. Phil
admin
September 2020
Looks wonderful! Can’t wait for more.
EmeryJ
September 2020
Yes sir Dave, it will have a removable roof and lighting. I have a few additional add-ins for the lighting I hope to incorporate towards the end of the build. (both inside and out)
Sorry for the poor pictures. They look better on my phone where I can zoom in and see the detail. So far, the hardest part I have encountered is “breaking” the windows. I spent an eternity trying to get it correct while still getting the black lines into the cracks and not making the rest of it look like crap. Next time I take pictures, I will try zoom in on that a bit more.
Robert.G
September 2020
Looks good so far !!
brownbr
September 2020
I like it.
EmeryJ
September 2020
Better pic of the finished end with battens completed.
admin
September 2020
Fantastic! Cracked windows look great.
Dave_S
September 2020
Emery,
The texture and color variations on that close up shot of the side wall are great. The cracked glass in the windows looks true to life. Very effective and believable overall look to everything. Looking forward to more photos especially the close up ones that more effectively show the finer details you have worked on like the circular saw blade cut lines and cracked glass.
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
Robert.G
September 2020
Very well done !!! I like the different sizes of nuts in the boards.
EmeryJ
September 2020
Thank you very much men. I was rather nervous about posting this for the best modelers on the planet to see. I appreciate the support and advise ya’ll have provided!
TomMich
September 2020
Emery,
You have no reason to be nervous about posting your work it is very nice! Great job. Looking forward to seeing more.
Robert.G
September 2020
Totally agree!!!
brownbr
September 2020
Great looking wall.
EmeryJ
October 2020
Ok, the wood part comes a bit easier for me than most things. This is where I have problems… painting. I am not very good at it in any form or fashion. I could really use any opinions and suggestions on these barrels. I followed the book, but I have the touch of a blacksmith! On the wood barrel, I was thinking about using the ink/alcohol mixture to wash back into the cracks. It may however ruin the attempt at rusting the bands. Thanks guys!
brownbr
October 2020
I agree that some powders/chalk to soften.
admin
October 2020
Great start - the castings look great and you are 90% of the way there. Good advice to follow here…
EmeryJ
October 2020
The two metal barrels were chalked, then just dipped in alcohol. The wood barrel was painted and then chalked with brown, and then rust color near the bands. Nothing else.
KCSTrains
October 2020
EmeryJ, for wooden barrels, I first spray paint them with an enamel khaki color. I then apply wet brown chalk. This is the method Brett and Karl explain where you dip your brush in alcohol, then on a glass surface, pull in some chalk and swirl into a diluted mixture. Then apply it to the barrel. As for the bands, I use burnt sienna and a very small brush. I finish by dabbing on dry brown chalk. Your barrels look great. As suggested, just dab on a bit more brown chalk. Phil
TomMich
October 2020
EmeryJ, The barrels look good very good. I like the weathering on the metal drums, as for wood barrels, you can try the A/I wash to see how you like it on a few and try the chalk/alcohol on others and compare them to see how you like it. I have thinned leather dye that I use for coloring wood. I use a brown, a black, and a brown/black mix to simulate different aging on the wood. The leather dye is thinned with alcohol.
As for coloring bands, I use colored pencils to color them. I have a selection of rust colored pencils that I purchased at Michael’s. It is easier for me than trying to paint with a brush. It is important to keep the pencil sharp so it just highlights the bands.
EmeryJ
October 2020
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. I will give these a try and see what works best for me. Now I have options, and that is exactly what I needed. It may be a week or so before I can get to try all of them out. More supplies incoming 
My selection of items was rather thin, as I am just getting started.
kebmo
October 2020 edited October 2020
you’d need neurosurgeon-like steady hands to paint the bands on the barrels. i’ve managed to screw up every one i’ve done. pencils sounds like a great plan to me.
TomMich
October 2020
Ed, the pencils I use are Prismacolor purchased at Michael’s. They are in a locked case so you have to get an associate to unlock the case. I assume they are locked up because they are too easy to steal. They hold up well for me. I have a few different rust colors and one that looks like new steel. it’s a black/grey.
TomMich
October 2020
Not a problem Ed. I didn’t know if others use colored pencils for barrel bands or if it’s a new concept. Works great for me. I tried painting them and as Kevin has stated I messed up more barrels than I like to think. Came up with pencils idea while browsing a Michael’s store.
EmeryJ
October 2020
I had run across those pencils a few days back, before you mentioned them. Thought maybe it was just another gimmick. After your comment, I ordered a set of rust ones from AK. Like Kevin said, I too messed up several times. Thanks for the advise men.
EmeryJ
October 2020
10.4 Will do.
TomMich
October 2020
The Prismacolor pencils I use do not easily rub off. They have an almost Crayola like consistency but harder. I even use A/I on them after application without them running or coming off.
kebmo
October 2020
i just tried ordering a set of rust pencils from ak and shipping was 15 euros. which prismacolor pencils do you have tom?
TomMich
October 2020
Kevin, the ones I use most are, Dark Brown, looks to me to give a more aged rusted look, Tuscan Red, an intermediate rust color, Sienna Brown, a fresher rust color and 90% Cool Grey, which to me looks like fresh metal. One of the pencils I have has a price sticker on it and it was $1.89. I bought them maybe 4 or 5 years ago. I have a couple more, a light grey, and black but don’t use them much. Got them at Michael’s.
TomMich
October 2020 edited October 2020
Not intending to take over EmeryJ’s great build, I thought I’d show a photo of a sample of the barrels I have colored the staves with pencils. The barrel on the far right is colored with the Dark Brown, second from right is the Tuscan Red, and center barrel is the Cool Grey.
EmeryJ
October 2020
No worries guys. I asked for advise, so adding it in is expected.
Here was yesterdays fix of a large mess I made. Not going into details on that one.
I did tone down the bright metal bands with Vallejo rust texture after this pic was taken.
All in all, I am fairly happy with the end results. Sorry my camera is less than stellar.
KCSTrains
October 2020
Everything looks a lot better. Congratulations. It may be just the flash on your camera, but if the silver bands shine a bit too much, just dab a little grey chalk on it to dull it a bit. Kind of like the news anchors putting on powder so their faces don’t shine too much on the camera. Phil
Robert.G
October 2020
Try to make the photos outside in daylight. Helps a lot !
brownbr
October 2020
You got some nice depth to the texture of the wood castings. Good job.
EmeryJ
October 2020
The wood barrels have been re-done for about the 10th time. They are simply practice at this point, as I had wrecked a bunch of the resin castings last week. Anyway, I can honestly say that the AK paints have made my beginner skill much better. Also, thanks to ya’ll for advice and especially Bryan for letting me wear him out. Awaiting a set of new castings so that I can actually put this practice to real use. Lots still to learn, but I am having fun!! It is dark outside, so I had to use my big shop lights to get decent lighting.
Mountaingoat
October 2020
You learn quickly. They are looking great…Rick
Robert.G
October 2020
Nice work !!!
kebmo
October 2020
i think you’ve got it. oustanding.
brownbr
October 2020
These look great.
dick52
October 2020
Looking good
admin
October 2020
well done! Looking great.
TomMich
October 2020
Weathering turned out GREAT! The barrels rings are also great. One thing if I may make a suggestion is to sand the back of the labels to as thin as possible so they don’t look so thick. This shows up on the green bottle. Otherwise looking very nice.
EmeryJ
October 2020
I will give that a try Tom. I had read about it somewhere but did not think to give it a shot on this first bottle. Thanks everyone for the great replies!!
KKarns
October 2020
Barrels look great…love the light wood tone you achieved. Nice change from the dark wood barrels so often modeled.
Joel
October 2020
Nice detail work. The muted colours are a good choice.
EmeryJ
November 2020
Backdrop coming in 2 weeks. Installed the sign grade aluminum backer to keep it smooth. Rather easy to install. Did it alone.
EmeryJ
November 2020
Thanks Bryan! I finally got to give this a go. I am very happy with the results per your tutorial.
KCSTrains
November 2020
What a layout room. I’m impressed. Your barrels also look good. Phil
Robert.G
November 2020
Impressing space for your layout!! Good weathering on the barrels.
brownbr
November 2020
Glad that worked out for you. They look really nice.
Getting ready to do a few more myself.
admin
November 2020
Wow, love the drums! Uhmmm but not as much as your layout room!
EmeryJ
November 2020
Backdrop finally installed. Up next, the sub-roadbed for all the track.Mural2
TomMich
November 2020
Backdrop is Awesome!
Mountaingoat
November 2020
Love the backdrop and lighting…Rick
KCSTrains
November 2020
The backdrop really looks great. Phil
brownbr
November 2020
Love the backdrop. Can’t wait to see the crossing to match the roadbed as shown here.
ALCO
November 2020
This is going to be good. Glad to have a seat upfront. A marvelous start. Can’t wait for next pix.
mikemettelka
November 2020
what… where… how!
KKarns
November 2020
How cool is that!..beautiful facility Emery.
kebmo
December 2020
that is awesome! love the backdrop. jealous as hell over the room.
EmeryJ
December 2020
Thanks everyone. Sorry not showing much modeling yet, but all in good time. Dam job keeps getting in the way of my progress. I did manage to get the first level sub-roadbed in this evening. It needs a couple supports yet. Hopefully this weekend, I can get level 2 and 3 started. This is very addicting.
Mountaingoat
December 2020
That’s one of those things the adrenaline gets going. Once you start, you don’t want to stop till it’s done. “I’m so close!”. Great progress…Rick
brownbr
December 2020
Great looking layout
EmeryJ
December 2020
Sub-roadbed almost complete. Right side and far back yet to connect. It is laying there, just have not put the risers in and connected it.
KCSTrains
December 2020
Emery,
I love it!! What great depth and variety. I hope you left room for the Sierra West kits!!! LOL. Phil
Mountaingoat
December 2020
I’m jealous. Wish I had the space. Looks great…Rick
EmeryJ
December 2020
Phil, this layout was altered to specifically ensure that every kit has a spot.
brownbr
December 2020
It looks very precise
sdrees
December 2020
Very nice benchwork and looks like interesting track plan
KKarns
December 2020
Hey Emery, such nice work you’re doing. The last picture shows maybe your work space at the bottom right. How cool is that to have your workshop right there with your layout.
You may have shown this before?
EmeryJ
December 2020
No sir, I have not. It is a train wreck mess!! (pun intended) I would be embarrassed to show it. Once I pick up a few things I will post a picture. Probably with the completed roadbed picture.
When I designed the room and layout, it was a priority that I had the work bench incorporated. I saw a layout plan somewhere that had one, which gave me the idea.
kebmo
December 2020
is your track plan on paper, or digital so you could post it? i’d love to see it.
EmeryJ
December 2020 edited December 2020
Kevin,
I had posted it awhile back. Here is the link. On page 1, you can see the original in 3D. Page 2 has the updated version. A few very small changes have taken place from that one. Is this what you were looking for sir?
Track Plan Complete: EmeryJ - Layout Planning and Building - SierraWest Scale Models Forum
Ken,
I was wrong. There is a partial picture of the work bench in the link above. I had not installed the backsplashes or lighting yet, but you can see about half of the work area.
It is an “L” shape, of which you can see one half.
kebmo
December 2020
thanks. my bad. great looking track plan.
EmeryJ
December 2020
This stage is now complete. I took a few different views to show a few different points of view. Ken, here is the desk, and I did not get time to pick up anything. The Truck Repair is scattered all over the place on there.
Next up is either cork roadbed or starting to put in the wiring bus line. Have not decided yet.
Wasted an entire day replacing the wifes kitchen sink faucet. Was like having your balls pounded flat with a hammer… I hate plumbing.
brownbr
December 2020
Before you put down a cork roadbed think about how you want to track to look. Is it a mainline track? Is it a backwoods track? Is it part of both. If mainline, then cork raised roadbed to look right. If it’s backwoods then you may want to have less of a profile and more looking like the guys just threw some ties on the ground. either way will work but you only get 1 chance at this stage.
KKarns
December 2020
Sweet!..Still thinking how cool that is to have your shop right there with the layout. Can picture working on a project and having a train(s) running at the same time!
EmeryJ
January 2021
Track work done. All turnouts wired and work correctly. Track wiring almost complete. Lacking a few drop feeders yet. More wire incoming again. Started the foam underlay.
The lower level inside the circle (next to the blue pan) is where Blue Sky will go.
The upper level where the paint can marked “garage” is where The Foundry will go. And right next to it where you see the green tape measure, is for O’Neils.
Mountaingoat
January 2021
Great progress. You definitely took your time to do a quality job of bench and trackwork. That will pay off in reliability over time…Rick
brownbr
January 2021
A great accomplishment
admin
January 2021
Wow, great progress. I can’t wait to see it in person. Emery and I are “almost” neighbors…
kebmo
January 2021
wow is right. i’m soooo jealous.
EmeryJ
January 2021
Thanks men.
Stop on down when we get a nice spring day. Sit on the veranda with steaks on the BGE and a fridge full of cold beer…oh, and we can look at the trains too.
Karl.A
January 2021
OK, just wow.
EmeryJ
February 2021
Scored a nice piece of history from my neighbor. He was using for driving big machinery pins. Thanks Lance!!
EmeryJ
February 2021
Bragdon rock molds and casting resin arrived yesterday. These are spectacular detail rock forms and scenery detail system. Will be starting this process tomorrow. I can’t wait to see some mountains!!
brownbr
February 2021
Now that you have a new hammer, will you pull up all your track and begin hand laying?
EmeryJ
April 2021
Too funny Bryan. I am keeping the hammer to fix any mistakes that pop up. Anyway…
A bit of progress on the layout finally. I have been experimenting with Bragdons system of hard shell and rocks. It is going quite well. I won’t bore ya’ll with too much, but here is my first sample attempt at a rock fully painted. I broke it last night by picking it up incorrectly. (top right corner is just sitting there).
It measures about 12’ x 20"
Karl.A
April 2021
Now that’s impressive.
admin
April 2021
Looks fantastic!
brownbr
April 2021
Excellent job with that rock face. Did you use the Bragdon light weight stuff or plaster?
EmeryJ
April 2021
This is the lightweight resin and foam combo. I bet it does not weigh 2 lbs.
EmeryJ
May 2021
Lots of irons in the fire, but managed to get some more work done on the scenery. Slow but sure. This is going to be the elevated location for the Rail Road Camp. The last picture shows the beginning of a river that will flow along the track and under the entrance to the RR camp area. (no bridge built yet).
Pappy
May 2021
This is very impressive and looks fantastic!!
How many months/years at this point in your project?
Wish I had a basement!! Calif has no basements to do this!!
Or if I were rich in so calif I would have 6 bedroom house like 5k sq feet and one for my big man cave 
Keep up your great work!!!
EmeryJ
August 2021
A bit more progress. Getting ready for the river and waterfall. The rocks have not been painted yet, just initial blackening of the recesses. I think I may try do some painting today. 3D printer is busy printing all the little fish that swim in the river. The grizzly bear fishing is ready to be painted too.
This month marks the first year since I started building the benchwork.
KKarns
August 2021
Rock looks great, impressive.
Pappy
August 2021
Emeryl, looks fantastic!
Cant wait to see more or your progress.
I am jealous wishing I had more room to do this.
Robert.G
August 2021
Very good looking rocks !!!
admin
August 2021
What an awesome cliff. The detail and texture is fantastic. Cannot wait to see more!
KCSTrains
August 2021
Emeryl, I certainly miss having a layout. Your work looks great. Nice rock faces. Can’t wait to see the waterfall. Phil
Joel
August 2021
Love the cliffs.
EmeryJ
August 2021
Painted cliff walls.
EmeryJ
August 2021
A few of us were yapping last spring about the Greenkeeper 55kv static grass applicator. Well, I can now say it is outstanding. It will light your ass up if used incorrectly. (hmmm)
This is 3 of 5 layers of static grass put down. Pretty decent meadow for a first time jingle ass like me.
Pappy
August 2021
fantastic work EmeryL !!
Can’t wait to see more of your progress
EmeryJ
August 2021
I maybe should have waited to take the picture when the glue dried and turned clear. Oops.
brownbr
August 2021
Rock coloring is great
admin
August 2021
I agree with Bryan, love the cliff wall. Really enjoying watching this come together!
ALCO
August 2021
So when you’re feeling a little tired, without inspiration to work on the layout, think Greenkeeper!
EmeryJ
October 2021
My very first SWSM completed. It turned out beyond my expectation all due to a great set of instructions. I had no idea what I was doing when I started this. I have learned so much in this process. Thank all of you and Brett as well for the great help. Holding off on the grass, trees, and roads for now. My new phone camera sucks, so this is the best I can do with it.
KKarns
October 2021
Nicely done!..love the lighted pics.
sdrees
October 2021
Great job. The lights add a lot to hte scene
admin
October 2021
What an awesome scene. I love the way the diorama is “perched” on the edge between the trestles.
CarlLaskey
October 2021
EMERY.
VERY NICE LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE A GREAT LAYOUT GOOD WORK.
Robert.G
October 2021
Well done !!!
brownbr
October 2021
Nice. I like the bridges a lot.
Joel
October 2021
Great work. The lighting really adds a lot of drama. Very nice effect.
EmeryJ
October 2021
Thanks everyone. Ironically I am riding a train right now in the piney woods of east texas. Fun stuff.
KCSTrains
October 2021
EmeryJ, I love seeing the build on your layout. Very well done. Phil
EmeryJ
January 2022
Hey Karl, I finally got these pictures resized. More progress has been made, but I will take some more pictures later. Hope you like it.
admin
January 2022
Wow, looks fantastic. Can’t wait to see it in person, ton of progress…
Karl.A
January 2022
Dang, you really have been making some great progress.
Thanks so much for posting the pics for me, everything is coming along outstanding. I’m really liking the way this is developing.
Like Brett, I can’t wait to get out there and see it in person, and I know you’ll have made much more progress by then.
Thanks for the update.
brownbr
January 2022
Very nice
randyp
February 2022
Emery, I am about there on the truck repair. How did you light your model? Thanks Randy
EmeryJ
February 2022
I started using ngineering dot com parts, but ended up using their distribution boards and premade lamp sets from evandesign dot com. I really wanted to make them myself, but found that I will never finish my layout if I try do every last detail myself. Honestly I destroyed 3 before I moved on.
sdrees
February 2022
the layout is coming along just fantastic.
Karl.A
February 2022 edited February 2022
Wise words Emery, delegation is the key to good management and success … ie: you cant always do everything yourself.
kebmo
March 2022 67.184.14.80
any update emery?
EmeryJ
March 2022
No sir Kevin. I have just started building my kitchen cabinets. I will be gutting my kitchen and dining room once I get them built. New plumbing, wiring, drywall, vaulting the ceiling, etc. This will keep me busy for quite some time. RR is on hold for a couple months.
I will keep looking in, but probably not much activity for some time.
Thanks for the inquiry sir.
kebmo
March 2022
holy crap, when you’re finished do ya wanna come over here for a bit…? 
EmeryJ
August 2022 edited August 2022
After finishing my kitchen, I had some time the last couple weekends to finish up the river area and bridges.
Obviously I have not got around to the landscaping yet, but soon I hope.
Bryan Brown told me when I started this about the cork roadbed. I was unsure how to get all that to work out correctly with the main line. Now I know. The dioramas will now have to be lifted up 3/16" so that it looks better in relation to the spur lines.
kebmo
August 2022
looking good! i’m so jealous…
EmeryJ
August 2022
No need to be Kevin. I have seen your modeling, and it is excellent! Without all the ideas and sharing on this forum, I would be lost.
KKarns
August 2022
Layout is shaping up nicely Emery.
brownbr
August 2022
Looking good. The weathered track is just right.
EmeryJ
November 2022
Have been working on the RR camp office as of late. A few pics as progress has been happening. Some look “cartoonish” on the stone, but it really does look better in person.
At least I got the phone to stay in focus in the second batch of pics.
Waiting on some of the lighting components to proceed.
randyp
November 2022
Looking good Emery. The second picture of the stone walls looks very good. I like the variation in color. Randy
CarlLaskey
November 2022
Emery.
The colors are just as I like to see…Carl…
Karl.A
November 2022
Great colouring on the wood siding and variation, also the resin doors are nicely coloured/shaded/highlighted and indistinguishable from wood. Also the dock.
Hard to comment on the stone colours following your comments but the grey tones look nicely varied.
Great progress so far looking forward to more.
KKarns
November 2022
Such nice warm tones on the wood work Emery. Excellent looking build with crisp lines and great fit and finish.
brownbr
November 2022
Good to wait for the lights to proceed. I can say from experience that it is much more difficult to try to retro-fit lights.
MuddyCreekRR
November 2022
lighting can be a conundrum…I’ve used the Evans Design stuff with the really long leads…doing the same on my water tank kit…actually going to let the wires show…running beams and walls to junction boxes…hiding it is difficult…
TomMich
November 2022
Coloration of the wood is very nice. Like the stone walls also. Well done!
brownbr
November 2022
Sometimes you can hide the wires in plain sight by using some Plastruct as conduit.
MuddyCreekRR
November 2022
Depends on the era you are modeling…old knob and tube wiring was the norm…exposed wires on ceramic insulators…it’s how I’m doing mine in the water tank shed…
Karl.A
November 2022
When the world changed from gas lighting to electrical, especially in industrial situations, the new fangled electrical lighting wires were run inside the existing gas pipe lines as they were already where they needed to be. This is where conduit developed from.
Probably a little TMI for Emery’s current and great situation though.
Jim M
November 2022
I’m in the middle of retrofitting wiring for lights ion my “Truck Repair” and it is a pain. I’m screwing up a few things along the way, but at this point, it is what it is. I kept trying to get it better, but then I started having parts of the structure fall apart so I just said, “good enough”. I’m hiding the wiring inside of .042 “conduit”.
Jim M
November 2022
Emery, the railroad camp looks great. Very interesting building.
admin
November 2022
Outstanding job. The stonework is perfect, just the right compliment to your wood coloration. Cannot wait to see more.
EmeryJ
November 2022
Thanks for the support everyone. Hope to get more done this weekend. The missing lighting components arrived from Ngineering last night.
glandesjr
November 2022
I generally have lit every Sierra West kit I’ve built. One of the things I’ve used for conduit are the polystyrene tubes from Evergreen. The smallest ones allow for the tiny light wires to snake through them. I paint the polystyrene and then glue it to the model, having first snaked the light wires through it. You can hardly see them. I drill a hole through the floor and then punch them through the foam base so they have to be long enough to do that. The wires then come out the bottom of the model.
Jerry
November 2022
Just reading this one sorry I didn’t get to it sooner!
Nice woodworking on the framing.
And what you’ve done with the rock castings and scenery so far is very nice.
Your work on the kits is excellent wonderful coloring and detailing.
I assume this is HO or is it On30?
Jerry
EmeryJ
November 2022
On30 sir.
EmeryJ
December 2022
I promised to post a few more pictures as progression has been happening. Here is the RR Office completed and set into the layout. There is lots of scenery yet to complete, as I just started grass, bushes, trees, roads, etc today.
It did not start off so well this morning, as I was ballasting the spur, my fat hand bumped the gooseneck out front on the warehouse and snapped it off. That will be fun soldering back together now. Oh well.
KKarns
December 2022
Great looking section Emery. You do your water first…I called it!
Karl.A
December 2022
That last shot is my favorite… looking over the tool shed into the office scene is such a seamless transition. They go so great together and you did a fantastic job on them both.
TomMich
December 2022 edited December 2022
Great job Emery! Everything is turning out nicely. Can’t wait to see the final product.
Jerry
December 2022
Beautiful looking scene!!
Jerry
Joel
December 2022
Emery - great progress. Love the scene so far.
EmeryJ
December 2022
Thank you everyone. Still plugging away with scenery and ballasting. Hope to have more pictures in the coming days. Appreciate all the support.
admin
December 2022
What an awesome scene. Love how it’s all coming together with the bridge leading you into the scene.
CarlLaskey
December 2022
Emery.
A layout build is not for the faint of heart so be very proud of your progress.
brownbr
December 2022
Looks Great
randyp
December 2022
EmeryJ, very nice scene. Great color on all the buildings. Randy
EmeryJ
December 2022
Thanks again everyone. You said a mouthful there Carl! This was a bit more than I wanted, but as progression is happening, I am super happy with taking the time to make it happen. After all, I did want a hobby to last for the rest of my days. I certainly found it.
EmeryJ
January 2023 edited January 2023
This area is complete as far as I am going to take it for now. May add a few 3d details and some trees later. As you can see, the alcohol/glue is not quite dry yet around the road, but was excited to finish and post the results.
Hey Bryan… that GreenKeeper 55kv is the poo for grass!!! Only zapped myself once. OUCH! It does have a kick to it.
KKarns
January 2023
Sure does look good Emery
Karl.A
January 2023
What a great scene, looks fantastic.
brownbr
January 2023
Glad its working for you Emery. I zapped myself also changing out containers. Made a note to myself to not do that again.
When dry, start adding some random weeds and debris. Some taller dead clumps made with jute twine look nice along with some dried leaves put through the blender.
sdrees
January 2023
Great looking scene
TomMich
January 2023
Adding the scenery really makes it come to life. Nice work.
EmeryJ
January 2023
Thanks everyone. Time to move to another area and finish getting the landscape ready for the next couple models. Undecided yet, but may try get some of the big bridges in so I can see a train run again.
Appreciate all the support.
admin
January 2023
Always such a treat to see my kits in a layout setting! Outstanding…
Karl.A
January 2023
Your grass came out great Emery, i havent played with my static thingy yet.
JenS
June 2023
Hi Emery,
Your layout is really huge, just great.
EmeryJ
July 2023
Preparing for the next model build. I wanted to get everything at the back done so I wont be reaching over any models.
There is some more landscaping in progress (tunnel on the left), but you get the general idea. Hopefully within the next couple weeks, I can complete melding in the upper landscape and paint the rest of the cliff rocks.
EmeryJ
July 2023
A little more painting done today. I will need to let all this dry for the second wash.
kebmo
July 2023
i’m green with envy…
Jerry
July 2023
Nice rock work & coloring.
Jerry
EmeryJ
July 2023
No need to be Kevin. I wish I was as good of a modeler as you
Thanks Jerrry. Appreciate that.
I really can’t wait for the day I get to pull down that ugly plastic and see the unobstructed view of the backdrop. It has been this way for almost 3 years now.
kebmo
July 2023
EmeryJ said:
No need to be Kevin. I wish I was as good of a modeler as you
Thanks Jerrry. Appreciate that.
I really can’t wait for the day I get to pull down that ugly plastic and see the unobstructed view of the backdrop. It has been this way for almost 3 years now.
c’mon emery…
KKarns
July 2023
Layout is coming along great Emery.
Karl.A
July 2023
Looking good Emery, any progress is still progress.
Nice work.
**
Robert.G**
July 2023
Good looking rocks and I like the warm color of them also !!
EmeryJ
August 2023
First set of pine trees installed. The grass floor is not exactly what I envisioned, but hopefully by the time I get to the front areas of the layout I will get better at it.
I do love how the actual trees turned out though.
admin
August 2023
Trees look awesome!
Jerry
August 2023
Wonderful looking trees!!
Jerry
KKarns
August 2023
Those trees look wonderful Emery! Your arrangement is also nicely done. How many times did you move them around before deciding? lol.
CarlLaskey
August 2023
JUST THINK ALL YOU NEED IS A FEW HUNDRED MORE…
brownbr
August 2023
that scene will look great as the cars pull through the trees. A few hundred more won’t take long.
Joel
August 2023
Trees look great. Jealous of anyone who has an actual layout. Must be fantastic to see the trains run through the scenery and past those fantastic SierraWest buildings.
EmeryJ
August 2023
Thanks everyone.
Ken, I just started putting them in and got lucky. No extra holes in the ground… YET.
Carl, that sounds about right. LOL. I have enough parts for 45 more currently.
Bryan, it won’t be so bad, as I really don’t plan on making all of them in one sitting. When I get the Tractor Repair & Woodcutters Shack area completed, then I can start adding in the next batch around the models.
Joel, no need to be sir. Some days I think I bit off more than I should have, but refuse to give up.